Paracetamol warning to millions of people across UK

Paracetamol warning to millions of people across UK A medical study has found that people who take paracetamol on a regular basis could be at a 'heightened risk' People who take paracetamol on a regular basis are being warned, with the drug one of the most commonly-used in the UK. The non-prescription painkiller is used to relieve a host of aches and pains, and those who take paracetamol frequently may face an elevated risk of certain life-threatening conditions, according to a medical study. Until relatively recently, paracetamol was widely considered to be an entirely safe medication for patients with high blood pressure. However, a 2022 study revealed its effect on blood pressure is comparable to that of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. NSAIDs are commonly prescribed to manage chronic pain, but are also known to raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease. Experts have warned that the rise in blood pressure could be expected to increase the risk of heart disease or stroke by approximately 20%. Researchers advise that patients with a long-term prescription for the painkiller, typically used to treat chronic pain, should receive the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration. Professor James Dear, personal chairman of clinical pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh, said: "This study clearly shows that paracetamol, the world's most used drug, increases blood pressure, one of the most important risk factors for heart attacks and strokes. Prof Dear added that doctors and patients should "together consider the risks versus the benefits", particularly where patients are at risk of cardiovascular disease. He continued: "In summary, we've shown that two weeks of treatment with paracetamol increases blood pressure in patients who have hypertension (high blood pressure)." Lead investigator Dr Iain MacIntyre, consultant in clinical pharmacology and nephrology at NHS Lothian, said people who use paracetamol occasionally shouldn't be concerned. Dr MacIntyre said: "This is not about short-term use of paracetamol for headaches or fever, which is, of course, fine - but it does indicate a newly discovered risk for people who take it regularly over the longer term, usually for chronic pain." The study revealed that after participants stopped taking the medication, their blood pressure returned to baseline levels recorded at the study's outset, suggesting the drug had elevated it. Researchers acknowledged they lacked precise figures for UK patients on long-term paracetamol who also have high blood pressure. However, it is estimated that one in three adults in the UK with high blood pressure take paracetamol regularly. According to the experts, while the study was designed to detect a minimal effect on blood pressure, they were surprised to observe a substantially greater impact. Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, which funded the study, said the findings "emphasise why doctors and patients should regularly review whether there is an ongoing need to take any medication" and "always weigh up the benefits and risks." Blood Pressure UK reports that approximately one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure. In England, this affects 31% of men and 26% of women.